Abstract

The DHSC Project confirmed Australia’s first ancient underwater archaeological sites from the continental shelf, located off the Murujuga coastline in north-western Australia. Details on two underwater sites were reported at Cape Bruguieres, which comprised > 260 recorded lithic artefacts at depths down to −2.4 m below sea level, and Flying Foam Passage where the find spot is associated with a submerged freshwater spring at −14 m. The sites were discovered through a purposeful research strategy designed to identify underwater targets, using an iterative process incorporating a variety of aerial and underwater remote sensing techniques and diver investigation within a predictive framework to map the submerged landscape within a depth range of 0–20 m. With our find confirming ancient Indigenous sites can be preserved under water, we need policy makers to reconsider approaches to protecting underwater cultural heritage in Australia. We are confident many other submerged sites will be found in the years to come. These will challenge our current understandings and lead to a more complete account of our human past. A brief review of public policy that provides protection of underwater cultural heritage and a discussion of how this changes professional practice in Australia will be included.

About the presenter

Dr Jonathan Benjamin is Associate Professor of Maritime Archaeology at Flinders University where he is responsible for the Maritime Archaeology and Scientific Diving Programs as Academic Coordinator. He was Lead CI on the ARC Funded DHSC project, which has recently published the first confirmed ancient Aboriginal site on the Australian continental shelf.

 

Contact seadin.gallagher@uq.net.au or e.mein@uq.edu.au for Zoom meeting details.

About Archaeology Working Papers

The Working Papers in Archaeology seminar series provides a forum for dissemination of archaeological research and ideas amongst UQ archaeology students and staff. All students are invited to attend the series and postgraduate students, from honours upwards, are invited to present their research. The aim is to provide opportunities for students, staff and those from outside UQ, to present and discuss their work in an informal environment. It is hoped that anyone interested in current archaeological directions, both within and outside the School and University, will be able to attend and contribute to the series.